Continue to protect the goliath grouper
Target:
Palm Beach County
Sponsored by:
We, the undersigned, request the continued protection of Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara) and vigorously oppose the relaxation in any manner of its current protective status.
Goliath Grouper have been inhabitants of Florida's reefs for millions of years and serve a vital role in the healthy functioning of the reefs. They have been listed as a critically endangered species by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), and have been protected from fishing in the United States since 1990, and in the Caribbean since 1993 (source: Wikipedia).
Many of us are divers and have witnessed the large congregations of these amazing creatures from August to October in Palm Beach County, where they travel perhaps hundreds of miles to congregate in groups of 50 to 75 for breeding purposes. It is incredibly sad that a group of 50-75 individuals constitutes a large aggregation, but such is the state of our oceans today.
We have witnessed the curious nature of these massive creatures and watched them roll on their sides to have their bellies scratched by a diver. Fisherman and spear-fisherman wish to hunt them for sport, but we cannot see the sport in shooting an animal that willfully approaches divers.
We, the undersigned, are extremely opposed to the removal of protected status from these gentle giants.
Goliath Grouper have been inhabitants of Florida's reefs for millions of years and serve a vital role in the healthy functioning of the reefs. They have been listed as a critically endangered species by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), and have been protected from fishing in the United States since 1990, and in the Caribbean since 1993 (source: Wikipedia).
Many of us are divers and have witnessed the large congregations of these amazing creatures from August to October in Palm Beach County, where they travel perhaps hundreds of miles to congregate in groups of 50 to 75 for breeding purposes. It is incredibly sad that a group of 50-75 individuals constitutes a large aggregation, but such is the state of our oceans today.
We have witnessed the curious nature of these massive creatures and watched them roll on their sides to have their bellies scratched by a diver. Fisherman and spear-fisherman wish to hunt them for sport, but we cannot see the sport in shooting an animal that willfully approaches divers.
We, the undersigned, are extremely opposed to the removal of protected status from these gentle giants.
We, the undersigned, request the continued protection of Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara) and vigorously oppose the relaxation in any manner of its current protective status.
Goliath Grouper have been inhabitants of Florida's reefs for millions of years and serve a vital role in the healthy functioning of the reefs. They have been listed as a critically endangered species by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), and have been protected from fishing in the United States since 1990, and in the Caribbean since 1993 (source: Wikipedia).
Many of us are divers and have witnessed the large congregations of these amazing creatures from August to October in Palm Beach County, where they travel perhaps hundreds of miles to congregate in groups of 50 to 75 for breeding purposes. It is incredibly sad that a group of 50-75 individuals constitutes a large aggregation, but such is the state of our oceans today.
We have witnessed the curious nature of these massive creatures and watched them roll on their sides to have their bellies scratched by a diver. Fisherman and spear-fisherman wish to hunt them for sport, but we cannot see the sport in shooting an animal that willfully approaches divers.
We, the undersigned, are extremely opposed to the removal of protected status from these gentle giants.
Goliath Grouper have been inhabitants of Florida's reefs for millions of years and serve a vital role in the healthy functioning of the reefs. They have been listed as a critically endangered species by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), and have been protected from fishing in the United States since 1990, and in the Caribbean since 1993 (source: Wikipedia).
Many of us are divers and have witnessed the large congregations of these amazing creatures from August to October in Palm Beach County, where they travel perhaps hundreds of miles to congregate in groups of 50 to 75 for breeding purposes. It is incredibly sad that a group of 50-75 individuals constitutes a large aggregation, but such is the state of our oceans today.
We have witnessed the curious nature of these massive creatures and watched them roll on their sides to have their bellies scratched by a diver. Fisherman and spear-fisherman wish to hunt them for sport, but we cannot see the sport in shooting an animal that willfully approaches divers.
We, the undersigned, are extremely opposed to the removal of protected status from these gentle giants.
We signed the "Continue to protect the goliath grouper" petition!
# 1,170:
7:46 am PST, Feb 8,
Nathalie Zenny, Florida
# 1,169:
7:47 pm PST, Feb 4,
Stefanie Prstac, Florida
# 1,168:
8:18 pm PST, Jan 20,
Koehl Willy, France
# 1,167:
6:19 pm PST, Jan 14,
Name not displayed, New York
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 1,166:
7:07 am PST, Jan 14,
Kimberly Hurtt, North Carolina
# 1,165:
8:33 am PST, Jan 13,
Hugo Saraiva, Rhode Island
Please protect this amazing fish. BAN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please protect this amazing fish. BAN!!!!!!!!!!!!
# 1,164:
12:24 pm PST, Jan 11,
Sarah Luchetta, California
# 1,163:
11:44 pm PST, Jan 8,
Javier Vega Ramos, Australia
# 1,162:
4:29 pm PST, Jan 4,
PEDRO HENRIQUES, Portugal
MANY MANY YEARS AGO I WAS 21, 22, Y.O....IN MOZAMBIQUE...I WON SEVERAL SPEARFISHING COMPETITIONS WITH GIGANT GROUPERS...MY RECORD WAS 240 KG....I GOT PICTURES----!!!!THAT WAS 1974--- TODAY I OWN A LIVE ABOARD VESSEL AND IN PORTUGAL I TAKE DIVERS, PHOTO-CINE DIVERS TO EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF THE OCEANS----I DEFINETLY MADE A HUGE IMPROVEMENT.... PROTECT ALL THE MARINE LIVING BEAUTY OF OUR PLANET...
MANY MANY YEARS AGO I WAS 21, 22, Y.O....IN MOZAMBIQUE...I WON SEVERAL SPEARFISHING COMPETITIONS WITH GIGANT GROUPERS...MY RECORD WAS 240 KG....I GOT PICTURES----!!!!THAT WAS 1974--- TODAY I OWN A LIVE ABOARD VESSEL AND IN PORTUGAL I TAKE DIVERS, PHOTO-CINE DIVERS TO EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF THE OCEANS----I DEFINETLY MADE A HUGE IMPROVEMENT.... PROTECT ALL THE MARINE LIVING BEAUTY OF OUR PLANET...
# 1,161:
7:08 pm PST, Jan 1,
Nicole Moore, Florida
# 1,160:
11:45 am PST, Dec 30,
John Scalia, Ohio
Until a couple of years, I was a long time diving resident of Delray Beach in Palm Beach County. I fondly remember diving with several Goliath Groupers while I lived there. There is absolutely no need to harvest these beautiful creatures. We can eat something else.
Until a couple of years, I was a long time diving resident of Delray Beach in Palm Beach County. I fondly remember diving with several Goliath Groupers while I lived there. There is absolutely no need to harvest these beautiful creatures. We can eat something else.
# 1,159:
2:07 am PST, Dec 29,
Mika Leivo, Finland
# 1,158:
10:20 am PST, Dec 26,
Daryl Haynes, United Kingdom
# 1,157:
10:56 am PST, Dec 18,
Caren Eckrich, Netherlands Antilles
I have a master's degree in marine biology and I teach coral reef ecology and scientific diving. I have over 1000 dives and several 1000 snorkels on Caribbean reefs, mainly Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Bonaire is known for it's conservation efforts, but I have only seen two Goliath groupers. These apex predators need protection.
I have a master's degree in marine biology and I teach coral reef ecology and scientific diving. I have over 1000 dives and several 1000 snorkels on Caribbean reefs, mainly Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Bonaire is known for it's conservation efforts, but I have only seen two Goliath groupers. These apex predators need protection.
# 1,156:
4:33 pm PST, Dec 17,
Name not displayed, South Carolina
# 1,155:
11:40 am PST, Dec 17,
Joseph Smith, North Carolina
# 1,154:
6:30 am PST, Dec 15,
Isabel Cruz, Portugal
# 1,153:
6:01 pm PST, Dec 13,
Darren Tortoise Protection, United Kingdom
# 1,152:
10:48 am PST, Dec 12,
Polina Reznikov, New York
# 1,151:
6:32 am PST, Dec 12,
David Hartman, Florida
I moved to Key Largo in 2004 to become a SCUBA instructor. During my first few years in the Keys, there were very few Goliath Grouper sightings. However, in the past few years the sightings of the giant fish have increased dramatically with regular spottings on Molasses Reef and the wrecks fot the Speigel Grove and the Eagle. The current protections of the Goliath Grouper are working and need to stay in place to preserve the underwater experience with these maginicent species of fish. David Hartman Key Largo, FL PADI MSDT Instructor # 189985
I moved to Key Largo in 2004 to become a SCUBA instructor. During my first few years in the Keys, there were very few Goliath Grouper sightings. However, in the past few years the sightings of the giant fish have increased dramatically with regular spottings on Molasses Reef and the wrecks fot the Speigel Grove and the Eagle. The current protections of the Goliath Grouper are working and need to stay in place to preserve the underwater experience with these maginicent species of fish. David Hartman Key Largo, FL PADI MSDT Instructor # 189985
# 1,150:
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2:41 pm PST, Dec 11,
Luis Eduardo Zuniga Moreno, Ecuador
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# 1,149:
9:42 am PST, Dec 9,
Avery Chipka, Florida
# 1,148:
4:49 pm PST, Dec 8,
Eduardo Orjales, Florida
NO A LEBANTO DE LA VEDA ES UN CRIME.
NO A LEBANTO DE LA VEDA ES UN CRIME.
# 1,147:
12:13 pm PST, Dec 8,
Allison Randall, Washington D.C.
Please continue to protect the goliath grouper. The excitement of having seen one last year is bringing me back to West Palm Beach, FL for another dive trip. Without the chance to see such amazing fish, I would take my business elsewhere. The economic benefits of protection are significant. Thank you!
Please continue to protect the goliath grouper. The excitement of having seen one last year is bringing me back to West Palm Beach, FL for another dive trip. Without the chance to see such amazing fish, I would take my business elsewhere. The economic benefits of protection are significant. Thank you!
# 1,146:
10:37 am PST, Dec 8,
Leslie Powell, Mississippi
# 1,145:
12:53 pm PST, Dec 4,
Russell Hiner, Florida
This is an important fish and should be protected. Lack of protection could lead to extinction.
This is an important fish and should be protected. Lack of protection could lead to extinction.
# 1,144:
2:08 pm PST, Dec 3,
Ralph M. Cook, Florida
If manatees recover their numbers, would they be legal for taking? Can't we extend protection to a long-lived fish like we do for dolphins, turtles, whales, and corals?
If manatees recover their numbers, would they be legal for taking? Can't we extend protection to a long-lived fish like we do for dolphins, turtles, whales, and corals?
# 1,143:
4:46 am PST, Dec 3,
Susan B, Canada
Stop this stupidity
Stop this stupidity
# 1,142:
8:48 am PST, Dec 2,
Laila E. Teira, Florida
# 1,141:
7:46 am PST, Dec 1,
Name not displayed, Florida
Research has not shown that Goliath groupers have recovered throughout their habitat range. Locqal recovery and abundance in the ei center of it's range. Certainly large animals are not as predominant on structure as prior to 80's.
Research has not shown that Goliath groupers have recovered throughout their habitat range. Locqal recovery and abundance in the ei center of it's range. Certainly large animals are not as predominant on structure as prior to 80's.
# 1,140:
5:13 am PST, Dec 1,
David Borus, New York
# 1,139:
2:23 pm PST, Nov 29,
William Skelton, Florida
Please continue to protect the goliath grouper, they have done no harm to us or the fishing company's that want the ban lifted.
Please continue to protect the goliath grouper, they have done no harm to us or the fishing company's that want the ban lifted.
# 1,138:
12:14 am PST, Nov 29,
Gail Dair, Australia
# 1,137:
5:09 pm PST, Nov 27,
Vincent Trubiano, Canada
# 1,136:
6:14 am PST, Nov 27,
Steve Bishop, Ohio
# 1,135:
6:00 am PST, Nov 25,
Mandy Karnauskas, Florida
# 1,134:
10:37 am PST, Nov 24,
Name not displayed, Massachusetts
Having been on both sides of the fishing issue, I can attest that the experience of meeting one of these animals underwater (which can be experienced by many people many times) is way better than hauling one up by hook and line (which is likely to kill the fish and can only be experienced by one person).
Having been on both sides of the fishing issue, I can attest that the experience of meeting one of these animals underwater (which can be experienced by many people many times) is way better than hauling one up by hook and line (which is likely to kill the fish and can only be experienced by one person).
# 1,133:
9:18 am PST, Nov 24,
Trisha Stone, Florida
# 1,132:
5:39 am PST, Nov 23,
Aldo Lozano, Spain
# 1,131:
7:25 am PST, Nov 22,
Name not displayed, Michigan
# 1,130:
5:54 pm PST, Nov 21,
Rich Mcelhoes, Pennsylvania
# 1,129:
4:21 am PST, Nov 21,
Philippe Ducreux, France
# 1,128:
3:11 pm PST, Nov 20,
Steve Metcalf, Rhode Island
Protect biodiversity - protect the goliath grouper, an apex predator vital to the continued health of reef ecosystems.
Protect biodiversity - protect the goliath grouper, an apex predator vital to the continued health of reef ecosystems.
# 1,127:
2:19 pm PST, Nov 20,
Matt Blakey, United Kingdom
# 1,126:
12:24 pm PST, Nov 20,
Stacy Misura, Washington
These fish are critically endangered and no one should be allowed to hunt them. It's not all that challenging to hunt an animal that moves slowly, if at all. As for decimating populations of other reef animals I don't think the Goliath grouper poses much threat. They don't move much and their metabolisms are fairly slow so they may only eat every few days.
These fish are critically endangered and no one should be allowed to hunt them. It's not all that challenging to hunt an animal that moves slowly, if at all. As for decimating populations of other reef animals I don't think the Goliath grouper poses much threat. They don't move much and their metabolisms are fairly slow so they may only eat every few days.
# 1,125:
11:18 am PST, Nov 20,
Jason Higley, Florida
Yes they are neat and cool looking, but here are some facts Goliath's eat anything they can catch, which usually is not baitfish but slower moving fish, lobster, and small sea turtles.If you have ever dove a spot and seen a Goliath on a part of the reef and or wreck, you will notice there is less sealife in the area than in an area where one is not.While I would not support an open season to them, there does need to be a limited/restricted means of harvest and balancing to ensure a strong population of other sealife.As far as the meat quality issue, the smaller ones are fine to eat(less than 100#).Please keep in mind the other sealife that Goliath's are decimating.The state of these species at the moment are comparative to putting a herd of cattle in a 5 acre plot,eventually all the grass will be gone.
Yes they are neat and cool looking, but here are some facts Goliath's eat anything they can catch, which usually is not baitfish but slower moving fish, lobster, and small sea turtles.If you have ever dove a spot and seen a Goliath on a part of the reef and or wreck, you will notice there is less sealife in the area than in an area where one is not.While I would not support an open season to them, there does need to be a limited/restricted means of harvest and balancing to ensure a strong population of other sealife.As far as the meat quality issue, the smaller ones are fine to eat(less than 100#).Please keep in mind the other sealife that Goliath's are decimating.The state of these species at the moment are comparative to putting a herd of cattle in a 5 acre plot,eventually all the grass will be gone.
# 1,124:
9:53 am PST, Nov 20,
Pryscilla Maracini, Brazil
# 1,123:
9:02 am PST, Nov 20,
Reuben Flatt, Michigan
Please protect one more piece of the eco-puzzle!
Please protect one more piece of the eco-puzzle!
# 1,122:
6:47 am PST, Nov 20,
Good God, Florida
KILL THEM ALL THEN I'LL SEND THE ONES BACK THAT I DON'T LIKE
KILL THEM ALL THEN I'LL SEND THE ONES BACK THAT I DON'T LIKE
# 1,121:
6:35 am PST, Nov 20,
Ronald Gerson, Florida
# 1,120:
8:43 pm PST, Nov 19,
Alfonso Aguilar-Perera, Mexico
# 1,119:
6:34 pm PST, Nov 19,
Sandro Klippel, Brazil
# 1,118:
5:03 pm PST, Nov 19,
Monica Peres, Brazil
# 1,116:
4:07 pm PST, Nov 19,
Lee Weber, Florida
I support efforts to continue the protection of the Goliath group. Because of their size and longevity, they are likely to contain high levels of mercury and be of little food value. Extractive use of these creatures does not make sense. They are highly valued by non-spear fishing divers and sport fishermen who practice catch and release. I fished an dived out of Tarpon Springs back in the 70's and 80's. Over that time I observed the devastation of the Goliath population that resulted from spear fishing. The availability of Loran at that time (and now GPS) make the species too easily accessible since they aggregate on known rock ledges and wrecks. While their numbers have increased in recent years, their general abundance has not reached the level that was present in the early 1970's. As a sport fisherman, I should also point out that the assertion by some anglers that Goliaths are "destroying the reefs" is groundless. They co-habit reefs and wrecks with grouper and snapper without significantly affecting these species. While a Goliath will very occasionally take a hooked fish, they have always been a part of the reef environment and should be protected. Sincerely, Lee A. Weber, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus Department of Biology University of Nevada
I support efforts to continue the protection of the Goliath group. Because of their size and longevity, they are likely to contain high levels of mercury and be of little food value. Extractive use of these creatures does not make sense. They are highly valued by non-spear fishing divers and sport fishermen who practice catch and release. I fished an dived out of Tarpon Springs back in the 70's and 80's. Over that time I observed the devastation of the Goliath population that resulted from spear fishing. The availability of Loran at that time (and now GPS) make the species too easily accessible since they aggregate on known rock ledges and wrecks. While their numbers have increased in recent years, their general abundance has not reached the level that was present in the early 1970's. As a sport fisherman, I should also point out that the assertion by some anglers that Goliaths are "destroying the reefs" is groundless. They co-habit reefs and wrecks with grouper and snapper without significantly affecting these species. While a Goliath will very occasionally take a hooked fish, they have always been a part of the reef environment and should be protected. Sincerely, Lee A. Weber, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus Department of Biology University of Nevada
# 1,115:
3:12 pm PST, Nov 19,
Name not displayed, Florida
As a marine scientist & scuba instructor I implore you to maintain the current protected status of the Goliath Grouper.
As a marine scientist & scuba instructor I implore you to maintain the current protected status of the Goliath Grouper.
# 1,114:
1:17 pm PST, Nov 19,
Dee Wilke, New Mexico
We lose nothing by saving these unique creatures but gain much in making our oceans a much more magical place, please continue to support saving these wonderous groupers.
We lose nothing by saving these unique creatures but gain much in making our oceans a much more magical place, please continue to support saving these wonderous groupers.
# 1,113:
9:10 am PST, Nov 19,
Peter Thompson, Michigan
We need to increase awareness of our ecosystem. One the ways to do this is popularize species. The Goliath Grouper stands out as being one of the creatures easily noticed even by novice naturalists. All ocean species should be protected from over fishing and population decimation.
We need to increase awareness of our ecosystem. One the ways to do this is popularize species. The Goliath Grouper stands out as being one of the creatures easily noticed even by novice naturalists. All ocean species should be protected from over fishing and population decimation.
# 1,112:
8:45 am PST, Nov 19,
Norman Patrick Peritore, Brazil
Florida is an important international diving destination, and news of their loss of protected status is all over the dive media. Avoid loss of revenue by not caving in to minority interests of fishermen and spear fishermen; the diving industry is much more important in revenues, and groupers are still endangered by climate change, as are all of your reefs.
Florida is an important international diving destination, and news of their loss of protected status is all over the dive media. Avoid loss of revenue by not caving in to minority interests of fishermen and spear fishermen; the diving industry is much more important in revenues, and groupers are still endangered by climate change, as are all of your reefs.
# 1,111:
6:18 am PST, Nov 19,
Miki Squires, Florida
Save the Goliath!
Save the Goliath!
# 1,109:
12:33 pm PST, Nov 18,
Name not displayed, Germany
# 1,108:
9:55 am PST, Nov 18,
Ana Catarina Lourinho Martins, Portugal
# 1,107:
9:49 am PST, Nov 18,
Deborah Price, Florida
# 1,106:
7:51 am PST, Nov 18,
Name not displayed, Florida
# 1,105:
7:44 am PST, Nov 18,
Name not displayed, Australia
Groupers, or in my country Gropers, are fish that live for a relatively long time and, commensurately do not breed at the drop of a hat. To think of calling in the ban of fishing for this species, by whatever means, is completely illogical to me.
Groupers, or in my country Gropers, are fish that live for a relatively long time and, commensurately do not breed at the drop of a hat. To think of calling in the ban of fishing for this species, by whatever means, is completely illogical to me.
# 1,104:
7:15 am PST, Nov 18,
Name not displayed, Florida
# 1,103:
5:10 am PST, Nov 18,
Traci Ellison, Florida
# 1,102:
4:53 am PST, Nov 18,
Irene Brandt, United Kingdom
# 1,101:
3:05 am PST, Nov 18,
Arthur J Mariano, Florida
As a professor of oceanography, I can not believe that anyone is even considering killing an endangered species. The goliath grouper must be protected for the good of the entire marine environment. Given that they congregate in groups, it will be too easy and no sport to kill off this population. I am avid fisherman, president of the Hollywood Hills Swordfish Science and Social Club, board member of the Swordfish Club, a member of a couple other fishing clubs and I lecture on fishing. Even though I love to catch big fish, my science background tells me to sign this petition because goliath grouper are that important to the marine environment. Feel free to contact Professor Mariano at professoro@bellsouth.net.
As a professor of oceanography, I can not believe that anyone is even considering killing an endangered species. The goliath grouper must be protected for the good of the entire marine environment. Given that they congregate in groups, it will be too easy and no sport to kill off this population. I am avid fisherman, president of the Hollywood Hills Swordfish Science and Social Club, board member of the Swordfish Club, a member of a couple other fishing clubs and I lecture on fishing. Even though I love to catch big fish, my science background tells me to sign this petition because goliath grouper are that important to the marine environment. Feel free to contact Professor Mariano at professoro@bellsouth.net.
